Judah (Person)

The fourth of Jacob’s 12 sons (Genesis 35:23; 1 Chronicles 2:1) and Leah and Jacob's fourth son. Leah named him Judah, which means “praise,” because she was excited to give Jacob another son (Genesis 29:35). Judah had five sons:

1. Er

2. Onan

3. Shelah, born to Bathshua the Canaanites (Genesis 38:3–5; 1 Chronicles 2:3)

4. The twins Perez and Zerah by Tamar, his daughter-in-law (Genesis 38:29–30; 1 Chronicles 2:4)

He eventually settled his family in Egypt with his father and brothers (Exodus 1:2). God killed his first two sons, Er and Onan, in Canaan for their disobedience (Genesis 46:12). Judah became the founder of one of Israel’s 12 tribes (Numbers 1:26–27).

Judah was reckless with Tamar (Genesis 38:6–30). However, he showed strong decision-making when he took personal responsibility for Benjamin’s safety in Egypt and spoke for his brothers before Joseph (Genesis 44:14–18). At the time of Jacob’s blessing, Judah was given firstborn privileges. Judah's family would lead Jacob’s family, and the promised Messiah of Abraham’s covenant would be a Judahite (Genesis 49:8–12). Later, Judah’s family was praised at the time of Ruth’s engagement to Boaz (Ruth 4:12), and both the Davidic lines of kings (1 Chronicles 2:1–15; 3:1–24) and Jesus Christ was a Judahite (Matthew 1:2–3; Luke 3:33).

The father of a family of Levites who assisted Jeshua, the high priest, with rebuilding the temple during the time after the exile in Babylon (Ezra 3:9). He is also called Hodaviah in Ezra 2:40 and Hodevah in Nehemiah 7:43.

One of the Levites who was encouraged by Ezra to divorce his non-Jewish wife (Ezra 10:23).

Benjamite, son of Hassenuah, who was second in command over the city of Jerusalem during the days of Nehemiah (Nehemiah 11:9).

One of the leaders of the Levites who returned with Zerubbabel and Jeshua to Judah after the exile in Babylon (Nehemiah 12:8).

One of the princes of Judah who helped dedicate the Jerusalem wall during the time after the exile in Babylon (Nehemiah 12:34).

One of the priests who played a musical instrument at the dedication of the Jerusalem wall during the days of Nehemiah (Nehemiah 12:36). He is perhaps identical with #5 above.

Joseph’s son, father of Simeon and an ancestor of Jesus Christ (Luke 3:30).